Whereas, What is known as the “50% Law” is a reference to California Education Code §84362(d), which states that “There shall be expended during each fiscal year for payment of salaries of classroom instructors by a community college district, 50 percent of the district's current expense of education”;
Whereas, The 50% law is often cited as a disincentive to the hiring of faculty who provide vital support services for students, such as counseling and library faculty;
Whereas, Title 5 has specific recommended ratios for counseling and library faculty to FTES that represent effective practices but are not being practiced by most community colleges; and
Whereas, Effective instruction and student success are dependent upon the necessary faculty support, both inside and outside of the classroom;
Resolved, That Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support a change in the calculation of the 50% obligation that removes the salaries of counseling and library faculty from the denominator of the ratio; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges publish information about what a change in the calculation of the 50% obligation that removes salaries of counseling and library faculty from the denominator of the ratio means and advocate that colleges reassess current staffing and create plans to meet existing Title 5 guidelines and best practices for counseling and library faculty.
MSR Disposition: Referred to the Executive Committee to research the data, craft a new resolution that considers the ideas included in all of the referred resolutions and our previous position in resolution 8.04 S01 and bring back to the Spring 2010 plenary session.
Revise the Application of the 50% Law
Fall
2009
Resolution Number
06.03
R
Contact
Category
State and Legislative Issues